Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: CHEF-1214 (Section: 1, CRN: 93457)
Ala Carte Cooking
LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Michelle Watson
Email watsonma@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 681-4311
Office
Office Hours (M-TR 8am-9am, M-TR 1pm-3pm)
Additional Contact Information 409-681-4311
Course Information
Description A course in a la carte or
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

CHEF 1214 A LA CARTE COOKING
Chef's PSA: The Line Cook Survival Manual Paperback – November 19, 2022
by Andre Natera 
Language ‏ : ‎ English Paperback ‏ : ‎ 117 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8364657152

Various sourced materials. Not required.
Additional Materials/Resources
Chef Black Hat 
Chef white  Jacket 
Black Chef Pants 
Slip Resistant Black Shoes
Knife Kit 
Pen and Paper.
Small handheld notebook.


Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes
  • Demonstrate planning, timing, and preparation of a complete meal (soup, appetizer, entrée), emphasizing commitment to quality and excellence.
    Define the fundamentals of an a la carte kitchen.
    Organize workstations effectively for an a la carte service. Construct and follow appropriate timelines.
    Develop and write a la carte menus tailored to service needs.
    Demonstrate recipe conversion skills, adjusting yields and portion sizes.
    Apply plating design principles, portion control, and balance. 
    Calculate food costs for items prepared.
    Employ proper cooking methods and techniques following fundamental culinary standards.
    Prepare a la carte orders using broiling, sautéing, and roasting methods.
    Prepare short sauces for various food items. Prepare simple desserts as part of a la carte service
    Demonstrate operational effectiveness by implementing proper kitchen production and protocols.
    Show effective communication and teamwork in all restaurant positions to ensure successful menu execution and guest satisfaction.
    Ensure good communication between food production and service staff.
    Demonstrate service standards, and continue developing effective work practices, including knife skills, organization, and safe food handling per HACCP and other contemporary standards.
    Apply proper cooking judgment beyond written recipes.
    Exhibit professional demeanor and conduct/leadership skills.

  • Program Student Learning Outcomes
    Lecture Topics Outline Week 1+2
    Introduction/History 
    Brigade System
    Mise en Place
    Cooking Basics-Roles and Divisions of Stations
    Language and Terminology
    Station Maps

    Week 3+4-
    Prep List/Par Lists
    Menu Branding
    Short-Order Cooking
    How to Handle Stress
    Breakfast Cookery and Service
    Assignment

    Week 5+6-
    Side Dishes
    Starches and Grains
    Plating, Timing and Communication
    Assignment

    Week 7+8
    Lunch Service
    Prep/Storage and Organization
    Checklists
    Fire Times/Timing and Speed vs Finesse

    Week 9+10
    Dinner Service
    Set-ups
    Timing and Awareness
    Technique/Focus/Teamwork
    Controlling what you can
    Seasoning

    Week 11+12
    Menu Planning
    Plating
    Pricing
    Strategies in the Kitchen
    Looking at the big Picture
    Types of menus and seasonality

    Week 13+14
    Plating Ideas
    Menus
    Final Project

    Week 15+16
    Putting it all Together
    Practical Final









    Major Assignments Schedule Week 1+2
    Introduction/History 
    Brigade System
    Mise en Place
    Cooking Basics-Roles and Divisions of Stations
    Language and Terminology
    Station Maps
    Quiz

    Week 3+4-
    Prep List/Par Lists
    Menu Branding
    Short-Order Cooking
    How to Handle Stress
    Breakfast Cookery and Service
    Quiz and Assignment

    Week 5+6-
    Side Dishes
    Starches and Grains
    Plating, Timing and Communication
    Quiz and Assignment

    Week 7+8
    Lunch Service
    Prep/Storage and Organization
    Checklists
    Fire Times/Timing and Speed vs Finesse
    Assignment

    Week 9+10
    Dinner Service
    Set-ups
    Timing and Awareness
    Technique/Focus/Teamwork
    Controlling what you can
    Seasoning
    Test

    Week 11+12
    Menu Planning
    Plating
    Pricing
    Strategies in the Kitchen
    Looking at the big Picture
    Types of menus and seasonality

    Week 13+14
    Plating Ideas
    Menus
    Final Project 

    Week 15+16
    Putting it all Together
    Practical Final



    Final Exam Date December 1, 2025 - 9:0 AM   Through  December 2, 2025 - 11:0 AM
    Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
    Determination of
    Final Grade
    Quizzes 10%, Assignments 20%, Tests 10%,  Project 20%,  Final 15 %, Attendance10 %, Class Participation and Discussion 15%
    Course Policies
    Instructor Policies LATE WORK is highly discouraged and will incur a 10 point penalty for every day it is late.
    Due dates are given and provide enough time to complete all work.

    The use of AI is encouraged in this class when appropriate and when it is fully disclosed.

    There will be a practical final exam.
    All students must take the exam on the scheduled date and time, and failure to do so will result in a 0 on the final exam.


    Every student MUST have a copy of the required textbooks by the SECOND week of class.
    The student will still be responsible for any assignments given. 


    Students are responsible for completing all assignments.

    A failure to follow oral and/or written instructions will result in penalties.
    Academic dishonesty will result in a zero on any assignment; a second incidence of academic dishonesty will be handled based on campus policies and procedures with the department chair.

    No cell phones should be visible or heard during class. No earbuds or listening devices. This includes classroom and lab/kitchen.

    Students must be in a clean uniform and in full uniform at all times.
    If you show up to class out of uniform or in a dirty uniform you will be sent home.
    You may use the kitchen washer/dryer to clean your uniform if you need to.
    Hair must be neat and off the shoulder with a hat or secured in hair net.
    No large earrings or dangling jewelry.

    No heavy perfumes or colognes.

    IN THE KITCHEN/LAB-
    All students are required to clean up after themselves.
    Students must clean ALL of their own dishes, any and all equipment used and work stations top and bottom. Including floors and counters and all surfaces. Dish room, sinks, walk-ins and refrigeration.
    Each class will sweep and mop and take out the trash to the dumpster at the end of class every day.
    Please lock the gate behind you.
    Large kitchen maintenance and deep cleaning projects will be assigned regularly and counted as lab time as needed to keep up with maintaining a spotless and organized kitchen.
    Students will put dishes away from the previous class before starting cooking for the day.
    Proper storage and rotation of food deliveries and maintaining organization of stored foods will be the responsibility of students as instructed by the Chef.

    No student will be excused from the kitchen until they are checked out by the Chef.
    All students will stay until all cleaning is complete and the class will be excused as a group together.
    Please schedule work around class time.
    No one will be permitted to leave class before the rest of the class is dismissed, unless it is an emergency.
    No food is to leave the kitchen without permission of the Chef.
    Do not go behind the counter of the Bistro or help yourself to things in the Bistro for any reason.
    Do not go in the Bistro during class.
    Attendance Policy Attendance is 10% of your grade in this class.
    Students more than 15 minutes late will be marked absent for the day.
    Students more than 15 minutes late will not be allowed to join the class that day.
    I will not let you join the rest of the class in lab if you are more than 15 minutes late to class.
    Please notify me if you will be absent.

    If you have an issue, please speak with me during office hours.
    Additional Information A hat must be worn in the kitchen at all times. If you don't have one, a hairnet will be provided.

    Students clean as a team. Everyone must stay until all the clean-up is done. No exceptions.
    If you are not participating you will be sent home and get a zero for the day.
    Please do not take this class if you can't work it around your work schedule.
    Students must be checked-out upon completion of clean-up before you can leave for the day.
    No food is to exit the building (including food you make) without permission from the Chef.
    Do not go behind the counter in the Bistro for any reason.

    Please park in the lot across the street from the police station.



    Institutional Policies
    MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
    Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
    ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
    COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
    Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
    HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
    Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
    Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
    Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

    Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
    Department Information
    Business and Industrial Technology
    Chair:CASP
    Email:CASP
    Phone:(409) 983-4921